Key questions to ask your doctor during a physical
Your annual physical exam is a key part of your preventive care routine, consisting of essential lifestyle counseling and screening tests that help you make the best decisions for your health.
But many people don't completely understand that the right preparation before your yearly exam will make it much more effective. The best way to do this is to create a list of questions to ask your doctor. This will allow you to better understand what screening tests you need and will prevent you from forgetting to ask important questions.
Read on to learn the vital questions to ask during a physical that will keep you healthy for years to come.
Does my family history put me at risk?
Family history is an important consideration and certainly not something you'll want to overlook during your next doctor visit.
Your family health history is much like a record of various puzzle pieces that come from you and your closest relatives. Since you have similar genetic backgrounds, environments and lifestyles, specific conditions can run in families.
Discussing this in detail with your family doctor allows you to understand more about your risk of developing a certain illness. Usually, conditions like diabetes, certain cancers and strokes can run in families and are due to a combination of reasons.
Although family history can provide helpful information about your risk, it doesn't guarantee you'll develop any condition with certainty.
However, it does allow your doctor to schedule screening tests more frequently. For example, if you have breast or colon cancer in your family, you'll likely need mammograms and colonoscopies more often and at an earlier age.
Before your appointment, talk to your relatives about their health. Not everyone is open about their health history, and there may be conditions in the family you don't know anything about.
Additionally, if you find there are common medical conditions in your family, you can dig deeper into your family history by obtaining death certificates.
Doing this will arm you with the information you need for your annual physical.
What health screenings do I need?
You may need various health screenings, depending on your age and any chronic health conditions you may have. Your doctor will also take your family history into account. Common screening tests you can expect include:
- Complete blood count.
- Basic metabolic panel to check electrolytes.
- Cholesterol screening.
- Thyroid function tests.
- Pap test screening for cervical cancer.
- Colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer.
- Fecal occult blood tests for blood in the stool.
- Mammogram to screen for breast cancer.
Additionally, males may need to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. High levels of PSA can indicate prostate cancer, but it can also be due to benign prostate conditions as well.
Conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) involve noncancerous inflammation of the prostate. Since a PSA isn't recommended for all men, be sure to ask your doctor for more information.
It's also crucial to ask about diabetic screenings. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) expanded its guidelines in 2022, recommending adults over 35 with obesity receive glucose testing.
What type of vaccinations do I need?
It's important to remember that as we age, our immune system can become weaker. This makes it more challenging for your body to fight off infections like it did in the past.
This is also why older adults are more susceptible to illnesses like shingles, pneumonia and the flu. Due to this, they're also more at risk from complications like hospitalization and long-term illnesses.
Therefore, if you're an older adult, asking your doctor about a schedule of necessary vaccines is imperative. In most cases, your doctor will recommend vaccines for COVID-19, seasonal flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and shingles.
You may also need an update on Tetanus, whooping cough and diphtheria vaccines.
Remember to be on the lookout for local flu shot clinics so you can get your vaccine before winter gets into full swing.
Are the symptoms I'm having normal?
Before visiting your doctor, make sure to list any physical or mental health symptoms that concern you. Don't worry if these symptoms seem trivial, like a new pain or lump.
An annual physical is the time to address these types of concerns and you'll get reassurance that what you're experiencing is normal. On the other hand, if your doctor finds abnormalities, you'll get the testing you need.
Also, if you have a chronic condition, take this time to get more information about symptoms you should be aware of. This will help you better understand when you need to make an urgent visit during the year.
Do I need to change my current medications or supplements?
Reviewing your current medications is a crucial part of your physical exam. Be sure to make a list of everything you take regularly, including current supplements. This is especially important if you're seeing a new doctor unfamiliar with your medical history.
You should also make a note of which medications need refills so you can let the doctor know during your visit. Also, if you're taking a medication that causes side effects, you'll want to discuss how they impact you.
You may need to take a different medication or it could be related to the supplements you take. Your doctor should review any potential interactions you need to be concerned about.
Finally, if your doctor prescribes a new medication during your physical, get as much information about the medication as possible. This should include potential interactions, side effects and costs.
Learning the key questions to ask your doctor during a physical
Learning the key questions to ask your doctor will help you create a healthy routine and address potential health issues sooner.
You must continue researching and visiting your doctor regularly for health concerns and tips for making lifestyle changes. Remember, you can never take too active of a role in your health.
WRAL News is a great place to tune in for health updates and happenings around your local community. We'll keep you up to date on local vaccine clinics, screening events and much more.
